In this special report, Korede Abdullah, Southwest correspondent of Africa Health Report, examines the cost of living with Diabetes in Nigeria, struggles and travails, shedding light on the economic challenges they face in managing their condition.
5 million and Counting: Nigeria’s Diabetes Crisis
From the high cost of medications to the unaffordable prices of healthy food options, the complex web of factors that make living with diabetes a costly and often insurmountable burden in Nigeria.
A deadly storm is brewing in Nigeria, threatening to engulf millions in its devastating wake. The ticking time bomb of diabetes has already begun to exact a heavy toll on the nation, leaving a trail of shattered lives and broken dreams in its path.
As the world grapples with the challenges of this insidious disease, Nigeria stands at the forefront of the battle, with alarming consequences for its citizens.
The statistics are staggering: over 5 million Nigerians are currently living with diabetes, with many more undiagnosed, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
This number is projected to skyrocket to over 11 million by 2045, making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes in Africa.
The sheer scale of the crisis is daunting, and the nation’s healthcare system is struggling to cope with the overwhelming demand for services.
Soaring Medication Prices Worsen Diabetes Crisis
The rising cost of diabetes medications in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, exacerbating the country’s diabetes crisis.
Stakeholders attribute the price hike to a combination of factors, including foreign exchange fluctuations, inflation, reliance on imported diabetes drugs, the removal of fuel subsidies, and the exit of pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc. 
These challenges have further strained the country’s healthcare system, making it increasingly difficult for diabetes patients to access affordable treatment.
Heavy Economic Burden on Nigeria
The economic burden of diabetes in Nigeria is staggering. According to a study by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Nigeria spends a whopping N1.4 trillion annually on diabetes care.
This enormous expenditure is a significant drain on the country’s already strained healthcare resources.
The economic implications of diabetes in Nigeria are far-reaching. As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the financial burden on individuals, families, and the government will only intensify.
The high cost of healthy food options recommended for diabetes patients in Nigeria has exacerbated the economic burden of the disease, forcing many patients to opt for cheaper, less healthy alternatives.
Some Nigerians who spoke with our correspondent bemoaned the economic implications which they said are dire.
“Many diabetes patients struggling to afford the nutritious food they need to manage their condition, leading to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.”, said Hussain Taiwo Ibrahim.
Experts suggest that urgent action is needed to address the root causes of diabetes and to develop sustainable strategies for managing and preventing the disease.
Stephen Owolabi, a diabetes patient, also shared his challenging experience managing the condition in Nigeria in an interview with our correspondent.
Owolabi, a senior staff member with the House of Assembly Service Commission in Ekiti State, said that affordability is a major challenge in accessing medications and healthy food options.
He said the economic hardship in Nigeria has worsened the challenges faced by diabetes patients in managing their condition.
Owolabi lamented that the high cost of medications and healthy food options has made it difficult for him to stick to his treatment plan.
He called on the government to implement policies that will make medications and healthcare more affordable for diabetes patients.
He also advocated for public awareness campaigns to educate people about diabetes and its management.
Dashed Hope for Affordable Medication
In June, there was hope that President Bola Tinubu would soon sign an executive order aimed at reducing the escalating drug prices in Nigeria.
The situation was dire, with prices of antimalarial and other drugs increasing by 11-22%, and antidiabetic drugs rising by 20%.
This has forced many patients to skip their life-saving medications. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, had earlier promised that the executive order would be a short-term solution to curb escalating drug prices.
However, according to Africa Health Report findings, six months have passed since the announcement, and nothing tangible has been heard about the Executive Order.
The order, which aims to reduce production costs and enhance local manufacturers’ competitiveness, the prices of drugs are still prohibitively high in all pharmacy stores visited by our correspondent.
Nigeria’s Healthcare System Fails to Address Diabetes Crisis
Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing a critical challenge in addressing the growing diabetes crisis, particularly in rural communities.
Diabetes patients face the problems of accessing adequate care due to the lack of infrastructure, equipment, and trained personnel in the country’s healthcare system.
The country’s healthcare infrastructure is largely designed without a robust diabetes care framework, leading to avoidable deaths and complications.
The absence of tertiary healthcare facilities in rural areas means that patients with diabetes often rely on primary healthcare centers that lack the necessary expertise and equipment to manage the condition effectively.
This has resulted in delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and poor health outcomes.
The rural dwellers often have to travel several kilometers to access tertiary health institutions equipped to provide specialized care for diabetes.
The lack of a comprehensive national diabetes program and inadequate funding for diabetes care have exacerbated the problem.
Experts say Nigerian government should make efforts to prioritize the development of a robust diabetes care framework that includes increased funding, improved access to medications and supplies, and enhanced training for healthcare providers.
According to Dr. CHARLES ADEYEMO, a renowned epidemiologist in an exclusive interview with Africa Health Report (AHR), this shortage of resources makes it difficult for patients to receive proper treatment.
“The agitation for Integration of Diabetes management in primary Health care has been long overdue. The management of ailments like diabetes should not be restricted to tertiary health institutions alone.
“This is one of the factors hindering access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural or underserved areas where healthcare facilities are be limited.” he noted.
Dr Adeyemo advised government to establish more tertiary healthcare facilities in rural areas and to promote community-based diabetes education and awareness programs.
Furthermore, he advocated the integration of diabetes management in primary healthcare, making it more accessible to patients in rural or underserved areas.
This approach would enable patients to receive timely and effective treatment, improving their overall health outcomes.
Technology in Diabetes Management
Dr. Adeyemo highlighted the potential of technology in supporting diabetes management, including the development of software for early diagnosis and monitoring.
“Technology is an essential thing in every stratum, (public health inclusive). One of the major challenges in diabetics control programme is early diagnosis. Glucometer seems to be expensive today because most of what we use here in Nigeria are imported and you know what exchange rate is now.
“So, with technology we can develop software sensitive to hyperglycemia and make it available to all and sundry to regularly check their FBS.
“Once installed on their phones it’ll go a long way on easy and quick diagnosis.”, he explained.
He conveys a message of hope to diabetes patients in Nigeria, encouraging them to manage their condition effectively through lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring.
Challenges of Diabetes: Nigeria’s healthcare system often lacks the necessary infrastructure – Dr Adeyemo
In an exclusive interview with Africa Health Report Southwest correspondent, Korede Abdullah, renowned epidemiologist and UNICEF consultant, Dr. Charles Adeyemo, sheds light on the daunting challenges faced by diabetes patients in Nigeria and offers expert advice on how to overcome these obstacles. Excerpts:
AHR: As a medical expert, what are the most significant challenges diabetes patients face in Nigeria, and how can they be addressed?
Answer: Nigeria’s healthcare system often lacks the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and trained personnel to provide adequate diabetes care. Also, many diabetes patients in Nigeria struggle to access essential medications, glucose monitoring devices, and other supplies due to high costs or shortages. There is a significant need for diabetes education and awareness in Nigeria, as many patients lack a clear understanding of their condition and how to manage it. The high cost of diabetes care, including medications, supplies, and healthcare services, can be a significant burden for many patients in Nigeria.
AHR: What are the essential lifestyle changes that diabetes patients in Nigeria need to make to effectively manage their condition, and how can they be supported in making these changes?
Answer: Diabetes patients in Nigeria can effectively manage their condition by making essential lifestyle changes in terms of healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet that is low in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. They should focus on whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. They should know how to manage stress and weight through a combination of diet and exercise. Getting adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night) and rest to help regulate blood sugar levels. Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and weight, and keeping a record of these measurements to track progress they have made in the course of time is essential. Finally, they should adhere to taking medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider and attending regular follow-up appointments.
AHR: What alternatives or solutions in case of patients who don’t have the wherewithal to afford good medical services?
Answer: I will advise them to avoid eating processed foods. Local food options like plantain and yam are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium. They can help regulate blood sugar levels. Vegetable soups like egusi, okra, and bitter leaf soup are nutritious and can help manage blood sugar levels. In a nutshell, they should cultivate the habit of eating raw local food and avoid eating too much, avoid saturated fats, plant oil are better, do regular exercise, prefer Beans to rice , avoid sedentary lifestyle, be optimistic.
AHR: How can diabetes patients in Nigeria access quality healthcare services, especially in rural or underserved areas where healthcare facilities may be limited?
Answer: The agitation for Integration of Diabetes management in primary Health care has been long overdue. The management of ailments like diabetes should not be restricted to tertiary health institutions alone. This is one of the factors hindering access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural or underserved areas where healthcare facilities are be limited. I will also recommend health insurance, research by local academic communities on health economics and management, community participation and mobilization, non governmental organizations in the form of health outreaches, high spirited individuals in the society. Our political actors should stop concentrating on distribution of okada only they can equally distribute basic care kits, as health is wealth.
AHR: What role can technology play in supporting diabetes management in Nigeria, and are there any existing digital health solutions that you would recommend for patients?
Answer: Yes technology is an essential thing in every stratum, (public health inclusive). One of the major challenges in diabetics control programme is early diagnosis. Glucometer seems to be expensive today because most of what we use here in Nigeria are imported and you know what exchange rate is now. So, with technology we can develop softwares sensitive to hyperglycemia and make it available to all and sundry to regularly check their FBS. Once installed on their phones it’ll go a long way on easy and quick diagnosis
AHR: What message would you like to convey to diabetes patients in Nigeria, and what words of encouragement or advice can you offer to help them manage their condition effectively?
Answer: My message to diabetic patients in Nigeria, let nobody scare you. It’s not the end of life, it’s a mere metabolic syndrome, it’s a chronic disorder which means once diagnosed you’ll keep managing even when the sugar is controlled, you don’t need to relax as it can be back anytime, watch your diet, eat local foods, avoid junks, avoid sedentary lifestyle, keep BMI not higher than 25kg/m2, take your medications regularly, prevent injuries on any part of your body, go for eye test regularly especially if you’re above 40, talk to your doctors regularly about your symptoms, store your insulin properly as directed and administer it at right dosage and route if administration.
